Capital and largest center of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is a vast metropolis inhabited by nearly two million people located in the central-southern part of the country. Also known as the “Pearl of Asia” because of its architectural beauty, the city overall remains a touristic destination quite unknown but capable of rewarding visitors with sights of extraordinary value.
From a geographical point of view, the city’s center is located at the confluence of the rivers Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap, which are the main waterways of Cambodia, responsible for the transportation of passengers and goods. In addition to being one of the main points of reference for Cambodian tourism, Phnom Penh is also the most important political, cultural and commercial center of the country.
Despite being ignored by most travel agencies and mainly known for the sad events of the ’70s, the “Pearl of Asia” is a city that has nothing to envy compared to other popular destinations. The beautiful monuments, ancient buildings testifying the history of the region and the typical exotic ambiance of the city are just a few things Phnom Penh can offer to tourists. Phnom Penh is now a modern city, reborn from its ashes in just three decades, with well equipped infrastructures, hotels and shopping centers, in which the Cambodian tradition and culture are mixed with typical Western features.
Among the main attractions of Phnom Penh are the numerous Wat (temples) witnessing the city’s rich past. If the Wat Ounalom and the Wat Lang Ka amaze you, the Wat Phnom will literally leave you speechless. This complex, built in the fourteenth century, is in fact one of the most important pagodas in the country. Wat Phnom is situated on a hill from which you can enjoy a panoramic view over the city. Along with the city’s oldest buildings you can enjoy several recent additions, including many beautiful statues and monuments. In occasion of some of the most important Cambodian calendar events, including New Year and Pchum Ben, the Wat is used as a theater hosting festivities involving several thousands of people.
The city offers a number of other prestigious attractions; along the banks of the Mekong rises the majestic Royal Palace, a complex characterized by a multitude of pagodas each with its own precise function (to visit this beauty, take advantage of the early afternoon hours when there are fewer crowds of tourists). Among the most striking pagodas is the so-called Throne Room, surmounted by a colossal spire more than 196 feet high, and the Silver Pagoda, so called because of its floor entirely covered with 5,000 silver tiles. Inside is displayed the famous Emerald Buddha statue. Other relevant attractions worth visiting are the Tuol Sleng Museum, the Choeung Ek Killings Fields and the National Museum displaying the finest collection in the world of Khmer sculptures.
In the city there is no bus service and being relatively small, Phnom Penh can be easily explored by renting a bike for one dollar a day, a cyclo (a kind of bicycle rickshaw good for short trips in town) or remorque-moto (tuk tuk). There are also motorcycle and scooter rental companies: the price to rent a Honda is about 12 dollars a day and a scooter is about four dollars a day. Of course lower rates apply for those who rent for a month or longer. Local taxis are few and are not metered, therefore you must agree on the fare before leaving. A piece of advice: do not walk on foot at night and watch out for the city traffic, which can be really chaotic.
In recent years, the capital has grown exponentially and today in Phnom Penh you can really find everything you need: hotels, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and roads in good condition. Along the riverbank are several excellent restaurants and lively nightclubs that offer live music throughout the night. Among these, Miles Jazz Café regularly exhibits paintings of contemporary Cambodian art and photographic exhibitions. Even Ebony Apsara Café, a restaurant and bar on Street 178, offers some great photography exhibitions.
Very unusual and entertaining are the “Soup of Chhnang” (cook it yourself) restaurants, where you can cook your own soup or “Phnom Pleung” where you can cook meat and fish on a small barbecue.
If you want to eat cheap, go in one of the many markets where you will find great food at low prices. Highly recommended are the Psar Thmei, Psar Tuol Tom Pong and Psar O Russei. You can also find delicious food at great prices by the local street vendors who go around the streets with their carts. Markets and shops usually open very early in the morning and close around 5 PM; always remember to negotiate the price or they may take advantage of you.
The beautiful Psar Thmei (Central Market) is a market in Art Deco style located in the city center. Here you will find, among the confusion, several stands selling just about anything, from good quality food, gold and silver jewels, coins, clothing to plants and flowers. Being located in a touristic area, prices here may not be as good as in the other markets.
The market Psar Tuol Pong (called Russian Market) is the best place to shop for clothing and technology. Here you can buy t-shirts, trousers and footwear of brands such as Gap and Nike, made in nearby factories at a very low price; you can also buy the best silk in the city, statues of the Buddha, CDs, DVDs and computer programs at bargain prices. Finally, the complex market Psar Russei sells food of excellent quality, second-hand clothing and jewelry.
A few miles from the center is located the airport of Phnom Penh, called by the inhabitants “Pochentong”. The terminal has a post office, a bank with ATM machine, restaurants, duty-free shops, a tourist information desk and a business center. Once landed, you will be confronted with the classic chaos that abounds in large metropolis grown too quickly, even though the infrastructure created in recent years has in part compensated for the inadequacy.
The climate in Phnom Penh is hot and humid year round, with a minimal difference in temperature between summer and winter. In general, there are three main seasons: the cold season, between November and January, during with average temperatures still hovering around 86 Fahrenheit degrees; the hot season, between February and May, with temperatures usually above 95 Fahrenheit degrees; and the rainy season from June to October, definitely the worst time to visit Phnom Penh and Cambodia because of the abundant and frequent rainfall throughout the country.
Two areas are frequented by backpackers: one is located along the bank of Boeng Kak Lake and the other near Psar O Russei. If you wander around the city you may still be able to find small guesthouses with very cheap prices. To find them, reach the bank of the river Sisowhat Quay or the area south-west of the Independence Monument.
Among the several guest houses available, two stick out for the affordable prices, the cleanliness of their rooms and the friendly hospitality:
Simon’s Chi Cafe & Guest House 2
Street 93, Sras Chock
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
(855 012 6088 92)
Price: about $ 10 per night
Email: [email protected]
Located right next to the lake in a very quiet area, has 19 rooms all very clean. Relaxing area overlooking the lake, with TV, music and pool table. Excellent restaurant. The owner will be happy to give you all the tourist information you want.
Dara Reang Sey
#45E, Street 118 corner of Street 13,
Sangkat Phsa Chas, Khan Daun Penh,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
855 [0]23 428 181
http://www.darareangsey.com/pp/
The staff is very helpful and “friendly”. The room is small, nothing fancy, but very clean, with air conditioning and bathroom, all for thirteen dollars.
Phnom Penh is overall a quite pleasant city to visit. It may be confusing and crowded at certain times of the day, but its sights of extraordinary value may really ultimately compensate for that, allowing visitors to bring fond memories back home.